Pros and Cons of the Celestron 114 EQ Telescope

Astronomy can be a great hobby. While some might think that a telescope is an expensive piece of equipment, there are a lot of affordable options. Even though some telescopes are budget-friendly, that doesn’t mean that they are low-quality. Usually, telescopes for beginners are quite affordable, and they come with many features which are easy to use.

If you want to know more about the device, you should check this Celestron 114 EQ telescope in-depth review. This device is an affordable option for beginners who want to learn more about the stars. Here, you can find out the pros and cons of this telescope which will help you decide if this device is the right one for you.

More About Celestron 114 EQ

The Celestron Astromaster 114 EQ is a telescope designed for beginners and intermediate users because it is easy to set up and use. This telescope is a bit more complex than other entry-level devices because it comes with a lot of great features. Despite this fact, it is still simple to use by anybody passionate about the stars.

It is made out of aluminum and steel, and it weighs 17 pounds. This device has a 100-150mm aperture as well as a focal ratio of 8.77. One of the best things about this telescope is that it has a pre-assembled tripod which makes it easier to use.

The Pros and Cons

Like any other device, this telescope has its pros and cons. Knowing the features and the pros and cons of this telescope are going to make it easier for you to decide if this is the right device for you. Let’s start off with the good parts of this telescope.

Pros

Like we stated earlier, the Celestron 114 EQ is very easy to set up and to use. This is great, especially for beginners who want to try out a device that it is not complicated to assemble. Another great thing about this telescope is that it can be used both for land and for astronomy. This makes the Celestron 114 EQ a versatile device which is good for gazing at the stars but also great for looking at animals and landscapes.

Celestron 114 EQ comes with a huge bonus: 2 eyepieces. The first one is a 20mm which offers 50x magnification, and the other one is 10mm eyepiece which offers 100xmagnification. Its aperture and the focal ratio are also great for a telescope in its price range. Because of the aperture, you will be able to see Saturn’s rings clearly.

If you are a beginner, you are going to love the straightforward software of this telescope. This helps you identify planets and stars quickly. While some telescopes might show distant objects dark and faint, this device has wonderful brightness which helps you see objects that are far away clearly.

The fact that it comes with all of the necessary equipment is another plus. This way, you won’t have to search and purchase a tripod or an eyepiece. It is both cost-effective and useful. Also, the sturdy tripod is retractable which makes it easier to pack and transport.

Cons

Some users complained about the poor craftsmanship of the telescope. Because of the sturdy materials, this telescope can be a bit bulky which makes it harder to carry around. Another thing users complained about is the rough declination adjustment. Also, it can be a bit tricky to counterbalance the telescope.

People who are passionate about photography should know that this device allows you to attach a DSLR to the camera mount. Unfortunately, it can be pretty hard to get great photos if you don’t use a remote and a tripod. While the star finder feature is a great one for beginners, some customers mentioned that it is not as great as expected and that it can be complicated to use.

This telescope can be a bit complicated to use for the first two or three times. However, after you got used to it, this device helps you gaze at the stars in no time. All of its features are great for a device in its price range but the poor craftsmanship might be a hard thing to get past.

These are a few of the most important things you should know before you decide to purchase the Celestron Astromaster 114 EQ. Once you picked this telescope, you should also read an in-depth review to see exactly how this telescope works. All in all, the Celestron 114 is a great investment for beginners who want a simple device to guide to the stars.

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Alisha is a freelance writer and mom of 8 children. She owns a child safety education company, Kids Home Safe, is a contributing writer for Power Automedia, has had a regular column on Women’s Voices Digital Magazine. She has written for numerous sites across the web since she began writing, nearly 18 years ago. When she isn't writing she's spending time with her children at the pool swimming or watching their favorite show, Shark Tank.

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